368 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FLEXIBLE

MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
FMS analysis techniques can be classified as follows:
(l) Deterministic models,
(2) Queueing models,
(3) Discrete event simulation, and
(4) Other approaches, including heuristics.
Deterministic models
A deterministic modeling approach is useful in the beginning stages of FMS design to provide
rough estimates of system parameters such as production rate, capacity, and utilization.
Deterministic models do not permit evaluation of operating characteristics such as the build-up
of queues and other dynamics that can impair performance of the production system.
Consequently, deterministic models tend to overestimate FMS performance.
Queueing models
This models can be used to describe some of the dynamics not accounted for in deterministic
approaches. These models are based on the mathematical theory of queues. They permit the
inclusion of queues, but only in a general way and for relatively simple system configurations.
The performance measures that are calculated are usually average values for steady-state
operation of the system.
Examples of queueing models to study FMS, include [4], [:33].and [36]. Probably the most well
known of the FMS queueing models is CAN-O (31),(32].
Discrete event simulation
These simulations are applied in the later stages of design, probably offers the most accurate
method for modeling the specific aspects of a given FMS [28], [45].
The computer model can be constructed to closely resemble the details of a complex FMS
operation.
Characteristics such as layout configuration, number of pallets in the system. and production
scheduling rules can be incorporated into the FMS simulation model.
Indeed, the simulation can be helpful in determining optimum values for these parameters.
Other techniques that have been applied to analyze FMS design and operational problems
include mathematical programming [34) and various heuristic approaches (1), [17]. Several
literature reviews on operations research techniques directed at FMS problems are included
among the references, specifically [2), [6], [20), and [37].

Bottleneck Model
it is a deterministic model, It was developed by Solberg [33).

It can be used to provide starting estimates of FMS design parameters such

as production rate and number of workstations
The term bottleneck refers the fact that the output of the production
system has an upper limit, given that the product mix flowing through the
system is fixed.
Part mix.
The mix of the various part or product styles produced by the system is
defined pj
I'

p j=1.0
j=1

pj = the fraction of the total system output that is of style j

P= the total number of different part styles made in the FMS during the time
period of interest

WLt = t ijk . f ijk . p j

Where